Freedom Forum has been alarmed by the threat issued by the youth leaders of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) to popular singer Prakash Saput for his new video song, 'Pir Diyo Timro Mayale Malai Pir Diyo'.
The video song has represented the poor life of those who are left behind in miserable state despite their significant role in the Maoist's armed revolution. How a handful of leaders in the Maoist party, who were together in the revolution, grabbed the opportunities to elevate power and position while some were ditched to pathetic situation is vividly shown in the video song.
The song released on YouTube last Friday (11 March) has already garnered millions of views.
The CPN (Maoist Centre) is currently in the ruling alliance.
It is evidently the best form of artistic expression, exercise of the freedom of speech. Threatening over the song is sheer political intolerance.
To this, Executive Chief at FF, Taranath Dahal, observed, "Prakash Saput's song is a vivid reflection of present society. The words and views are finely protected by the constitution. The threat is therefore against freedom of expression and creative expression. Government must ensure safety to free expression of art. Those giving threats must be booked."
It is worth noting here that similar political intolerance was shown by youth wing of then ruling Communist Party of Nepal (UML) to the song by noted singer Pashupati Sharma some years back. Sharma was forced to change some words in the song due to mounting pressure.
The intolerance to free speech is deleterious to democracy. It is a condemnable act. The political parties are urged to abide by the constitution and their verbal commitment to free speech.
For More Information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforu.org.np